Methylphenidate in Hyperkinetic Children: Differences in Dose Effects on Learning and Social Behavior

Methylphenidate (Ritalin) is widely prescribed for hyperkinetic children. This study showed a peak enhancement of learning in children after being given a dose of 0.3 milligram per kilogram of body weight, and a decrement in learning in those given larger doses; social behavior showed the most improvement in children given 1.0 milligram per kilogram. These results had been hypothesized from theoretical dose-response curves which indicate different target behaviors would improve at different doses.